Night fell over Buenos Aires a few weeks before the elections. Outside, thousands of people followed the results of the latest polls on screens, while television channels broadcast live from campaign locations. Social media burned: opposing hashtags, viral videos, and rumors of last-minute alliances.
At the "La Libertad Avanza" headquarters, a tense calm reigned.
Javier Milei paced back and forth, surrounded by advisors. Victoria Villarruel silently observed a folder full of reports. "Toto" Caputo discussed economic projections with a small group of technicians. Iñaki compulsively checked trends on his cell phone, hoping the next move on social media would sway public discourse.
In the center was Santiago. Dressed in an impeccable dark suit, he held a cup of now-cold coffee while watching a massive illuminated electoral map. He didn't speak. Every so often, he would look up, give a brief instruction, and everyone would move.
—Don't respond yet —he said calmly—. If we react now, we play the game they want.
No one argued the order.
Several kilometers away, the climate was completely different.
In the hall where the "Frente de Todos" were gathered, weariness, hope, and the noise of the militants mixed. Drums sounded from the street, the walls were covered with flags and posters, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the place.
Axel Kicillof reviewed numbers alongside Sergio Massa, trying to decipher where the undecided were leaning.
Myriam "la Rusa" Bregman finished correcting the speech she would give at an event.
Luciano Orellano spoke with environmental leaders about a project to protect the rivers and halt new private concessions.
Then she entered. The congresswoman greeted each person with a hug. She wore her jacket over her shoulders, carried a folder full of notes, and her face was marked by days without sleep. Even so, she smiled.
—What do we have? —she asked.
—They are preparing something big —replied Massa without taking his eyes off the screen.
—They are always preparing something big —she answered, placing the folder on the table—. The question is what are we going to do.
Myriam raised an eyebrow.
—Tomorrow you debate Santiago.
The room went silent.
It wasn't just another debate. Each crossfire between them became national news. He represented the cold strategy of the far-right; she, the conviction of a left that was not willing to back down.
Axel broke the silence.
—Don't underestimate him.
She smiled faintly.
—And he shouldn't underestimate me either.